Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to invite the Senator to Glenveagh National Park where I am sure he will have a very enjoyable experience. At the outset I would like to pass comment on and pay tribute to RTÉ on the programme it broadcast last night. The programme showed very clearly that the carers of Ireland do not want to be listening to us trying to score political points against one another. They are looking for what they deserve, namely, recognition for the huge work they do. The quicker we get to that point, the better.

Today I raise the issue of returning emigrants. I am glad to report that 400 Irish citizens are returning home daily. That is something which we very much welcome. Unfortunately, many emigrants face difficulties and obstacles when they return. That is very regrettable. I recently heard from a gentleman who returned home to Donegal after 30 years in the US. He had an Irish driving licence before he left and while he was in the US he had a full licence with no penalty points and had no convictions while he was there. He told me the story of the difficulties he had. First, he cannot exchange his US licence for an Irish one. He went on to talk about the difficulties he has. After driving for 40 years he has to sit a theory test and do an Irish driving test. Another difficulty is that he lives on his own and in order to drive legally on the road, he needs to be accompanied by a qualified driver. He also has the additional difficulty of an increased insurance premium.

This is one of many examples of obstacles we put in the way of returning emigrants. That is very regrettable. Having 400 Irish citizens a week returning home is a nice problem to have, but there is job of work to be done to ensure that the transition they go through when they come home is as simple as possible. I ask the Acting Leader to bring this to Cabinet so that whatever obstacles are in the way can be put to one side in order to encourage more of our people to return home.